Buck Bravo

KSTP ran a story updating the progress of Sam Maresh:

The following video features a reaction by Steve Davis to the Iowa game:

Willie VanDeSteeg is interviewed on the Big Ten Network:

The University of Minnesota Marching Band is featured:

Despite vulgar fans and an unsportsmanlike coach who runs up the score, Iowa does have a great running back in Shonn Greene:

Here’s a Big Ten Network interview with Shonn Greene:

I don’t recommend watching the following highlights from the Iowa game:

Minnesota native James Laurinaitis is interviewed on the Big Ten Network:

Here are a few Big Ten highlights from week 13:

Based upon the predictions that I’ve read this evening, it appears that the Gophers will be playing in the Motor City Bowl. If Congress passes the 25 billion dollar bailout plan for the big three auto makers, perhaps a portion will come back to Miinesota as payment for a bowl appearance in Detroit. I hate to say that I predicted a Motor City Bowl appearance on September 7 when I posted the following comment:

“We’ll be going to Detroit, a cornucopia of tourism and winter delight, for the Motor City Bowl come December.”

At the time of the post, I thought that I’d be accused of overestimating the Gopers’ potential. How times have changed. Check back Monday morning for a full recap of Saturday’s events.

- The Iowa City Press-Citizen discusses TCF Bank Stadium and the end of Kinnick North Stadium in this article.

- The only Iowa blog, Black Heart Gold Pants, has no reservations in expressing Iowa’s feelings towards Minnesota. Black Heart Gold Pants enters a verbal rage in this article:

It’s not entirely the fault of the fans, either; Minnesota is the only Big Ten team playing in an off-campus multi-purpose garbage heap, and the trip from St. Paul is a hike. Of course, this means plenty of empty seats for me and 40,000 of my closest friends. I’m coming to your city, Gophers, and I’m bringing hell with me. Your new stadium may belong to TCF Bank, but your old one still belongs to us.

- The Star Tribune features an article about the Metrodome’s evolution into the worst stadium in college football.

- Marcus Fuller of the Pioneer Press discusses the recruits who are expected to attend Saturday’s game.

- Nadine Babu of GopherHole.com interviews four Gopher seniors in this article.

- Golden Gopher Football blog wraps up the Wisconsin game and notes that “All that matters now is Iowa.”

- The Daily Gopher asks, “Who hates Iowa”?

- The University of Miinesota now has an official bowl game website.

- Adam Rittenberg of ESPN’s Big Ten Blog discusses Tim Brewster’s reaction to Texas naming Will Muschamp as their coach in waiting behind Mack Brown.

- Michigan blog Maize and Blue Nation states “I hate Iowa. I think Minnesota will win. That is all.”

- Michigan Sports Center predicts “Shonn Greene will have another big day and will lead the Hawkeyes to victory.”

- Penn State’s The Nittany Line notes “The Gophers and their 62nd ranked rushing defense are about to learn what an amazing running back Shonn Greene is.”

Since 1982, Iowans have taken a biannual pilgrimage into Minnesota in order to support their beloved Hawkeyes in Kinnick North Stadium.  Officially known as the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Kinnick North Stadium has been good to fans of Iowa football. 

Iowa, the home state of John Wayne, is one of the last states that still embodies the Midwestern image of the family farm, small towns without locked doors and honest, humble people.  Minnesota football fans have always dreaded the influx of yellow-clad Iowans into their territory.  The Iowa Hawkeyes have a record of 18-8 at Kinnick North.  But just as railroads ended the era of covered wagon caravans headed West, so will the 2009 opening of TCF Stadium Bank end the pilgrimage of Iowans to Kinnick North Stadium.  Progress has a price.  Iowa fans have but one last sentimental journey to Kinnick North Stadium, and their beloved Hawkeyes will face a determined opponent.

Both Minnesota and Iowa enter the game with a record of 7-4.  In addition to having similar records, the two teams should match up well.  Iowa’s offensive strength is their running game.  Shonn Greene is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate averaging 6.2 yards per carry and having 15 touchdowns.  Take away yardage from scrambling quarterbacks, and Minnesota has been strong against the run.  The Gopher defense should force the Iowa offense to open up the passing game, and sophomore Hawkeye quarterback Ricky Stanzi will be tested.  The Iowa defense has been strong against the run and will likely force the Gophers to pass.  The Gophers should have wide receiver Eric Decker back from an injury, and will likely likely respond to the Iowa defense with a passing frenzy.

Regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s game, the end of an era will be at hand.  Minnesota fans will be relieved to have finally escaped the sterile environment of the Metrodome.  In 2009, tickets will be in high demand for TCF Bank Stadium.  It will be one of the best stadiums in all of college football, while the Metrodome has been one of the worst.  The high demand for tickets at TCF Bank Stadium will greatly diminish the number of Iowans who are able to attend the 2010 game.  Hundreds of years from now, Iowans may actually ponder the question as to whether there was a mythical Kinnick North Stadium.  For now, many will inevitably shed a tear on Saturday for their memories at Kinnick North Stadium.

Following are videos of players that may still be on the radar for Minnesota’s 2009 recruiting class:

Taylor Lewan is a four star recruit scheduled to be visiting Minnesota this weekend, and would be a great commit for the Gophers.  The Gophers need offensive linemen and Lewan looks like the real deal:

Daryl Robinson is rumored to be visiting this weekend, and his highlight video justifies all four of those Scout.com stars:

Jeremy Gainer is another four star recruit who is also rumored to be visiting, and lays some vicious hits on defense in this video:

Bryant Allen visited Minnesota recently, and runs the 40 in a blazing 4.3 seconds:

Edward “Eddie” Nuckols is still undecided and could end up in Maroon and Gold.  A 290 pound four star recruit who is also a fullback, Nuckols’ video is impressive to say the least:

Delano Johnson is playing at College of the Sequoias with Clint Brewster.  He would be ready to play next year:

Anthony “Juice” Leon is a 6′3, 230 pound four star safety also playing at College of the Sequoias.  Leon hits like a truck and would be a perfect fit for Ted Roof’s aggressive defense:

Randall Dent is also uncommitted, and still lists Minnesota as a school of interest:

While the Minnesota siege of Camp Randall was almost a successful campaign, “almost”  enters the record book indifferent from “never had a chance.”  Wisconsin did not play a good football game, but Minnesota made too many mistakes to pull out a win.  The Gophers almost lifted Paul Bunyan’s axe from the grounds of Camp Randall Stadium, but injuries and inexperience hobbled their effort and they fell under the very axe they sought.

Despite several mistakes and costly turnovers by Minnesota, Wisconsin only won by three points.  A top tier Division 1 team would have won by a much larger margin if given a three-car garage sized window of opportunity.  Each of the following events and decisions would have resulted in a different outcome for the game:

1. The fumble on the opening drive.  This one seems obvious, but it resulted in seven points towards a three point win.
2. Playing “not to lose” with 2:05 left in the first half.  An effective hurry-up offense could have tried to implement a series of sideline passes in order to drive into enemy territory for an  attempted score.  However, the coaching decision on this one may have been a good one since Minnesota’s young receivers, Adam Weber’s inconsistency, and Joel Monroe’s kicking had been liabilities in past weeks.  The point is that a strong offense would have had the confidence to run the two-minute drill.  Even a field goal could have sent the game to overtime.
3. Shady Salamon’s fumble with 7:55 left in the game.  Adam Weber pitched the ball behind Salamon instead of hitting him in stride.  This one also cost the Gophers seven points.
4. Adam Weber’s Decker-less struggles.  Many of his passes have been off-target.  Even the touchdown to Brodrick Smith was underthrown.  Several completions did not hit wide open receivers in stride (including the fumbled pitch to Salamon).  He appeared uncomfortable during the hurry-up offense near the end of the game and threw an interception.  Great quarterbacks shine under pressure and command the hurry-up offense in the two-minute drill.  Long term, losing Eric Decker for a few games may be the best thing that happened to Adam Weber.  Before the injury, Weber would try to force the ball to Decker without giving consideration to other wide receivers.  Now, he is being forced to read the defense and track multiple targets.  Remember the Brett Favre era for the Packers?  Almost every time he established a primary receiver who accumulated impressive statistics, the receiver would leave for a big payday.  Favre never missed a step, and would proceed to make average receivers appear extraordinary.
5. David Gilreath.  Gilreath chose to abandon his home state of Minnesota in order to play for Wisconsin.  Gilreath had a few key receptions for the Badgers.  He is a talented wide receiver who as a Gopher would have given Weber another dangerous target.  If Gilreath had remained home to be a Gopher, the final score probably would have been different.  Apparently the access to abundant fried cheese, liquor stores on Sunday, and the peace and quiet of the Wisconsin countryside is more desirable than an active, thriving metropolis with professional teams for every major sport.

The bottom line is that a three point loss to Wisconsin and a game ending touchdown by Northwestern are the difference between a 9-2 and a 7-4 record for Minnesota.  As the coaching staff bring in talented recruits and the young Gopher team matures, the program should continue to improve.  It just isn’t easy to watch a winnable game fall under the axe once again.

Folk tales of Minnesota and Wisconsin often include that of the legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan.  Paul Bunyan was a giant who at birth required five storks to be delivered.  There are those who doubt whether Paul Bunyan ever actually existed.  For others, the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota could have been made by nothing other than his feet.  Since 1948 the axe of the legendary Paul Bunyan has been held by the victor of the Minnesota/Wisconsin football game.

Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium was built in 1917 and named after Wisconsin governor Alexander Randall.  Randall organized Union troops for the Civil War at a camp on the grounds where the stadium now stands.  If Paul Bunyan’s axe is to return to Minnesota, the Gophers must invade Camp Randall and emerge victorious.

Wisconsin fans will be battle-ready for Saturday’s game.  In Madison there are four primary ways to spend time: drinking beer, eating fried cheese curds, watching football, and drinking beer.  The Gophers will not be welcome in Madison and the environment will be hostile to say the least.

Minnesota will be without star wide receiver Eric Decker…that is unless a Wisconsin reporter called a Tim Brewster bluff.  After watching Decker hobble against Michigan, I’d be surprised to see him on the field.  Minnesota mustered only six points versus Michigan and has struggled on offense as of late.

After starting off the season 3-0, Wisconsin has lost five of seven big ten games.  However, last week the Badgers put up 601 total yards of offense including 441 yards rushing versus Indiana.  Fortunately, Minnesota has been stronger against the rush than the pass.  Wisconsin lacks the two things that have troubled the Gophers the most: a mobile quarterback and a proficient passing game.  Despite Wisconsin’s potential to be an offensive juggernaut, the Gopher defense just might match up well against the Badgers’ power running game.

The Gophers will have the deck stacked against them versus the Badgers.  Expect the Gopher defense to have a strong showing.  Without Eric Decker or home field advantage, Minnesota will need to have someone step up at wide receiver in order for the offense to be effective.  At this time last year, who would have thought that offense would be Minnesota’s greatest concern?

Paul Bunyan’s axe belongs to the state in which he left his footprints.  If a few young Gophers can unexpectedly have breakout performances, perhaps Camp Randall can be plundered.

A Wisconsin game preview will be up tomorrow morning.  For now, visit these official New Year’s Day bowl game websites to vote for the Big Ten team that you would like the bowl commissions to invite:

Capital One Bowl (Orlando)

Outback Bowl (Tampa Bay)

Minnesota’s offense only mustered 105 yards passing and 83 yards rushing versus a Michigan defense that is statistically in the bottom three of the Big Ten for points allowed, total yards per game, and passing yards allowed.  What happened?  The spread offense relies on multiple offensive threats “spread” across the field in order to isolate and expose the weaknesses of the defense.  Injuries to Eric Decker and the offensive line exposed the Gophers’ greatest weaknesses: inexperience and a lack of depth.  Effectively, a few injuries spread out the Gopher offense too thin.

Eric Decker is the catalyst for the Minnesota offense.  Throughout the year, opposing defenses have had their best defensive back on him along with another defender in position for double team coverage.  Decker still put up huge numbers.  In doing so, he forced opposing defenses to assign less capable defenders to other Gopher receivers.  The result?  A potent passing attack.  With Decker injured, the game plan changed for opposing defenses. 

The Gophers do have talented receivers in addition to Eric Decker.  Tight end Jack Simmons is an NFL prospect.  However, as a tight end he doesn’t offer the blazing wide receiver speed that the spread offense requires.  Tight ends in the spread will usually benefit from having wide receivers that distract the defense and allow them to get open.  Brandon Green, Da’Jon McKnight, Xzavian Brandon, and Brodrick Smith (the freshmen four wide receivers)have the potential to develop into solid players.  All of them are true freshmen and will need time to learn the finesse aspects of Division I route running.  Inexperience does not mean lack of talent.  David Pittman has the potential to be a solid receiving option, but has been dealing with an injury most of the year.

The Minnesota offensive line has suffered several injuries throughout the year.  Against Michigan, the O-line had two freshmen and a sophomore up against an experienced defensive line.  Give these young linemen another year or two of maturity and weight training, and perhaps Adam Weber will have more time in the pocket while Deleon Eskridge has wider running lanes.

The bottom line is that an injury to Eric Decker and a few injuries to the offensive line exposed Minnesota’s inexperience and lack of depth.  Minnesota’s strong start to the season was dependent upon a starting lineup that in many places was one-deep.  Fortunately, there are several young players on the team who should develop into solid players and give the program depth in the coming years.  Next year the offensive line will have another year of experience and strength training, Eric Decker plans to return, the freshmen four wide receivers will be sophomores, David Pittman will still be here, and the team will be joined by both five star junior college receiver Hayo Carpenter and the talented Minneapolis tight end Ra’Shede Hageman. 

Despite a 7-3 record, a bowl-eligible season, a new stadium in 2009, and a coach of the year candidate, Minnesota still has plenty of room for talented recruits who are looking to contribute.

One more game in the Metrodome.  That’s it.  Frustrated Gopher fans exiting the Metrodome Saturday afternoon were not strangers to humiliation.  Sitting in front of me were three Michigan fans who were friendly throughout the game.  In the fourth quarter one of them turned around and asked “Why aren’t more people upset?”  Why?  Because Minnesota fans are used to losing, especially in the Metrodome.  One more trip to the Metrodome until the prospect of next year brings change, hope, and the beginning of a new era for Gopher Football.

Saturday’s loss to Michigan was a reality check for the Gopher Nation.  As previously noted in my Michigan game preview, the Gophers just don’t have the same level of talent…yet.  What do you get when you combine a team in need of talent, a new stadium on the horizon, a deflating loss, and a big recruiting weekend?  You get the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good

1. One more home game until Minnesota plays in TCF Bank Stadium.  Enough said.
2. Ra’Shede Hageman.  One of the top players in the state of Minnesota.  Expect him to make a major impact for the Gophers.  If he stays at tight end he should rack up gaudy receiving numbers in the spread offense.  Jack Simmons will be in the NFL next year, and Hageman may have a chance to contribute as a true freshman.
3. Matt Garin.  Another highly rated player stays home.  Garin has exceptional agility and quickness for his height and size.  If he continues to develop he could be the next Willie VanDeSteeg.
4. Joey Searcy.  The Gophers need defensive tackles for the future, and at 6′1, 276 pounds Searcy is exactly that.  In the footage I’ve seen he’s quick and relentless in his pursuit of the ball.
5. Adam Weber had a trial by fire due to an injury to Eric Decker and a porous offensive line.  The whole experience could help him improve for next year once a more experienced O-line gives him more time in the pocket and he has additional talented receivers.

The Bad

1. The offensive line.  Plagued by inexperience and injuries, the O-line couldn’t open up holes for the running game or protect Adam Weber.
2. The rest of the offense.  Receivers couldn’t get open, first downs were few and far between, and there was no hurry-up offense late in the game.
3. The weather.  Visiting recruits were treated to a chilly and windy day.
4. The loss.  A win on Saturday would have guaranteed that Minnesota doesn’t end up in Detroit for the Motor City Bowl.

The Ugly

The ugly. A picture speaks a thousand words.